Energy by Design: Possible BMP for Mitigation Planning Dave or Megan - TBD – October 14, 2009 Insert Your Image Here © Insert Image Credit

Energy by Design Objective: no net loss for priority species and vegetation Dramatically improve mitigation; reduce negative impacts and deliver no net loss or in some cases a net gain for nature Follow “mitigation hierarchy” Avoid, minimize, restore and then offset Better “early warning” and planning Reduce development-conservation conflicts More effective use of offsets Conservation actions that compensate for residual, unavoidable harm to natural resource values

Degree of impact mitigation using avoid  minimize  restore  offset Biodiversity breakeven point (Zero impact; No net loss) Anticipated Impact (net loss) Residual Impacts (net loss) Avoided impacts Minimize/ Restore Avoided impacts Offset Avoided impacts Residual Impacts (net loss) Adapted from Kiesecker et al Minimize/ Restore Kiesecker, J.M, H. Copeland, A. Pocewicz, N. Nibbelink, B. McKenney J. Dahlke, M. Holloran and D. Stroud 2009 A Framework for Implementing Biodiversity Offsets: Selecting Sites and Determining Scale. BioScience 59: Kiesecker, J.M., H. Copeland, A. Pocewicz, B. McKenney Development by Design: Blending Landscape Level Planning with the Mitigation Hierarchy. Frontiers In Ecology and the Environment In Press Avoidance only Avoidance + Min/restore Avoidance + Min/restore + Offset Net gain No net loss “Early warning” & planning: development projects and conservation priorities Selection of offset portfolio & accounting for no net loss

Sample projects LocationMitigation Emphasis Industry partner Potential Application Status CO - Hiawatha Field On- and offsite QuestarHiawatha EIS In progress CO - SouthwestOffsiteBPWildlife Mitigation Plan In progress WY - Jonah Field OffsiteBPExpenditure of mitigation $ Complete WY - Continental Divide – Crestone Field On- and offsite BPEISIn progress UT – Uinta Basin On- and offsite Questar?Planned

Hiawatha Sample targets Greater sage-grouse Ferruginous hawk Wyoming pocket gopher Elk seasonal habitats Many others

Assemble a Team of Experts ID Target Species & Systems ID Spatial Extent of Project Gather Spatial Data for Targets Examine Development Scenario Determine Impacts & Goals ID “On-site” Sensitive Features ID Offset Portfolio Determine Offset Valuation Approach Validate Model Results NameOrganization Michael A. SmithU of Wyoming Rhen EtzmillerBLM Debbie JohnsonBLM David SimonsBLM Mary ReadBLM Eldon AllisonBLM Andy WarrenBLM Cheryl NewberryBLM Tim WoolleyWY G&F Greg HiattWY G&F Scott SmithWY G&F Joseph KieseckerTNC Holly CopelandTNC Amy PocewiczTNC Steve MooreConsultant Douglas A. KeinathWYNDD Jason SutterHayden-Wing Dick LoperConsultant Don SchrammRock Springs Grazing Board

Assemble a Team of Experts ID Target Species & Systems ID Spatial Extent of Project Gather Spatial Data for Targets Examine Development Scenario Determine Impacts & Goals ID “On-site” Sensitive Features ID Offset Portfolio Determine Offset Valuation Approach Validate Model Results

Assemble a Team of Experts ID Target Species & Systems ID Spatial Extent of Project Gather Spatial Data for Targets Examine Development Scenario Determine Impacts & Goals ID “On-site” Sensitive Features ID Offset Portfolio Determine Offset Valuation Approach Validate Model Results

Assemble a Team of Experts ID Target Species & Systems ID Spatial Extent of Project Gather Spatial Data for Targets Examine Development Scenario Determine Impacts & Goals ID “On-site” Sensitive Features ID Offset Portfolio Determine Offset Valuation Approach Validate Model Results

Assemble a Team of Experts ID Target Species & Systems ID Spatial Extent of Project Gather Spatial Data for Targets Examine Development Scenario Determine Impacts & Goals ID “On-site” Sensitive Features ID Offset Portfolio Determine Offset Valuation Approach Validate Model Results

Assemble a Team of Experts ID Target Species & Systems ID Spatial Extent of Project Gather Spatial Data for Targets Examine Development Scenario Determine Impacts & Goals ID “On-site” Sensitive Features ID Offset Portfolio Determine Offset Valuation Approach Validate Model Results Development: 40 acre spacing Potential Impacts: 22,867 acres of Pygmy Rabbit habitat

Assemble a Team of Experts ID Target Species & Systems ID Spatial Extent of Project Gather Spatial Data for Targets Examine Development Scenario Determine Impacts & Goals ID “On-site” Sensitive Features ID Offset Portfolio Determine Offset Valuation Approach Validate Model Results

Assemble a Team of Experts ID Target Species & Systems ID Spatial Extent of Project Gather Spatial Data for Targets Examine Development Scenario Determine Impacts & Goals ID “On-site” Sensitive Features ID Offset Portfolio Determine Offset Valuation Approach Validate Model Results

Offset Accounting Framework $3,200/ha$2,700/haCost per offset hectare delivered $1.2 million$4.5 millionTotal cost for offset $400/ha$1,500/haCost per hectare 7.9 to 11.8 to 1Offset to impact ratio 19%83% of goal 380 ha1659 haActual offset hectares 15 yrs0 yrsTiming (yrs to conservation maturity) 25%90%Probability of success 0%/yr10%/yrExpected background rate of loss (res dev) RestorationProtectionConservation action 3000 ha Hectares of suitable habitat Site BSite AOffset portfolio 2000 haHectares of impact = Goal

Summary EBD: Goal-based, science-based, systematic, transparent, multi-stakeholder Potential application to industry planning, EISs, Wildlife Mitigation Plans, Comprehensive Drilling Plans, etc. Best practice for mitigation planning? TBD